Azure’s failure illuminates the pitfalls of storing important information in remote data centers. Online storage, often called “cloud computing,” is growing in appeal because it allows workers to pull up data, wherever they are, to an Internet-connected device.

Cloud computing’s convenience can turn into a major aggravation when a problem crops up like the one that tripped up Microsoft Friday.

DirecTV Now has some attractive features, including its price, but the overall service is disappointing and an inadequate substitute for a traditional pay TV package, Tech Files columnist Troy Wolverton says.